Paint Sticks & Collage

 Today my students created a character using paint sticks ( Sargent Art ) & collage.  Since we've been back in person, I've really tried to do projects that use supplies we just weren't able to use during virtual.  They LOVE the paint sticks.  I had them create a "character" and simple background using the paint sticks.  They could use food items, objects around home or school, or even clothing items.  I told them not to make the face though.  We would be creating the face and any additional items using collage.  I think their pictures turned out super cute.  

One of the reasons I had them use collage for the face is because my students sometime struggle cutting out circular objects.  I believe part of this is because they no long use scissors in the classroom to do cut & match activities like they use to do. (like matching words or placing vocabulary in a sentence)  That coupled with the fact that many do not do crafty/arty things at home as much as they once did....we have some struggles in the scissor skills department!! 

Inspired by Beatriz Milhazes: 1st Grade

This is a work by Beatriz Milhazes, but I could not find the title.

When my practicum student introduced me to the art of Beatriz, I instantly connected with it! My mind instantly jumped to possible projects I could do with my students inspired by her beautiful work. The first project I came up with was a mixed media piece for 1st grade. Day one the students used rulers and lids to make designs. Then they traced their marks with crayons to add extra color to their work. Next students painted the picture. They were encouraged to use as many colors as possible. This week we are retracing areas that are not showing up well...and filling in white spaces that didn't get painted. Then they used patterned paper to create flower shapes, vines, and organic/geometric shapes. I'm really excited to see how the rest of my classes do!!  

Mixed Media: 2nd Grade

I love doing mixed media projects with my students.  Each "layer" of the mix adds so much to their work...and their excitement builds as their art work progresses! 

Here is the breakdown of this project.  

DAY ONE

Draw the vace & flowers with pencil, trace with Sharpie, and do a watercolor wash overtop.

DAY TWO

Using color pencil, go into the work and add some cohesion to the vace and flower by adding "some" color.  I talked to them about blending & value when using colored pencil.  

DAY THREE

Students created two or three collage flowers to add to their vases.  We discussed proportion/size to make sure they looked like they belonged with the other flowers. We also used bubble wrap to print some metallic color onto it

Mixed Media Critters: 1st Grade

I believe it was on Mini Matisse that I saw a fun check board painting she was doing with her students.  I loved the idea, but had to think where I wanted to take it from the check board "base".  My first graders loved getting to paint the check board!! There were varying levels of success, but all looked nice once completed!  The next class time I had them trace the original pencil lines with a black crayon.  They then created a "critter" to place on the check board.  I told them to think of it as a school picture for their creations!  The faces crack me up!  I love the expressions.

Mixed Media Landscapes: 3rd Grade

I'm working on possible projects for our spring all school art show.  The theme is COLOR EXPLOSION! I've been working on landscapes with 3rd grade, and thought this could be a fun "possible" project for the show.  We looked a many examples of mixed media & abstract landscapes.  The students started by doing a simple line drawing of a landscape. I had them paint(watercolor) each layer a different color or combination of colors.  Then I had them use black tempera paint to outline and create a tree in their foreground.  The following we the were allowed to selected metallic and regular construction paper to create the leaves for their trees. I think they are pretty fun.  I'm kicking around the idea of the students adding patterns into the work as well with colored pencil.

The Three Billy Goats Gruff Inspired

This project is in progress.  I read the 4th graders The Three Billy Goats Gruff. The first week the reimagined the troll that lived under the bridge.  I have them red, yellow, blue, black, and white tempera, and they had to mix all of their colors.  I loved all the different ideas they came up with.  The following week we looked at a variety of bridges, and discussed what would be the most appropriate for a troll to live under, and what type of landscape/setting that bridge would be found in.  

I think we have at least one more day to wrap them up!!!  I HOPE! ha ha 

Hickory Dickory Dock: Kindergarten

Here is a possible kindergarten project for the art show.  We read Hickory Dickory Dock, and then created a page of clock faces.  Next they traced all their pencil marks with crayon to create the resist.  They then picked two colors to do a wash over the page.  We finished the day with sprinkling salt on top of their wet pictures.  Next week they will be creating collage mice to add to their pictures.

Emotion Birds: Kindergarten

The 4th nine weeks has a lot of skill checking for kindergarten!  I don't want it to be repeats of projects though!!  I really love this lesson.  I start by talking to them about moods/emotions.  We discuss what colors would be good to represent which emotion.  I really is a fun discussion...and you can see how much they've grown by their thought process!  

After we make a chart of what colors go with which emotion....I reviewed spirals.  They then created a background of spirals using the colors of the emotion they chose to show. 

Next they selected paper out of the scrap box to create their bird. This is a new thing for my kindergarten students.  Usually with collage, I have paper pulled for them to use prior to class, but I wanted to make sure they'd be ready for 1st grade when they must select their own from the scrap box!  We reviewed the colors once again to make sure they would pick the right colors for their emotion(most of them did?!? ha ha).  I did a demo on how to create their birds, reviewed scissor safety, and reviewed proper glue use.  I was thrilled that the birds did each have their own little personality.  

BLAST OFF: Kindergarten Mixed Media

I'm happy with how these kindergarten mixed media pieces are turning out.  I am going to give them part of one more class to finish them up...adding stars or planets on the black...and any details they may want to add on their rockets(construction paper crayons).  When you are doing mixed media for kindergarten..you need to remember to break things down...keeping them simple with one or two steps per class time.  If you try to do too much...you'll end up with a hot mess!  

On the first class time...I had my students start with line drawing.  I then had them trace using construction paper crayons(I just liked those colors for this project...regular crayons would be fine too).  Last, I had them do a watercolor wash on top.    During the second class time...students added the black paper for space...and created the rocket shops in collage(limited to 2 colors).  They ended it by adding glitter glue to the fire/smoke coming out of the bottom of the rocket ship.  

Breaking Down Mixed Media

This is the first step for my third grade Mixed Media piece.  Thinking through what you want to accomplish within a nine weeks(or whatever your break down is) could yield an interesting mixed media work.  They can be new elements your introducing or skills you are revisiting.  So many times mixed media projects at the elementary level are lacking because some are afraid of the time commitment or how to challenge students to create meaningful & magnificent works.  If you break down the elements you can assess each aspect as well as the whole.  Stay tuned as my kiddos take these to the next level!! 

Abstracted Birds Completed

Today the students added the black into their work...and WOW...did it make a difference.  I had my  doubts about this project, but I'm loving it now!!  The kids really loved looking at the Inuit work, and connected to bold black lines they used in their work.  I first had students draw their designs before giving them their paint.  I provided extra fine brushes so they could do more detailed line work where needed.  I think the kids surprised themselves!! I can't wait to see how the rest of the week goes!!